Repairing to the kitchen, she learned that the minister's man who brought it was still hanging about the premises. Then thinking to pump him more conveniently, she bethought her of a new shelf for the store-room, and sent for Joseph to give him the order. He appeared, but with no great show of alacrity, and it was not till he had heard orders given for his subsequent refreshment, and had actually fingered the lady's coin, that he began to show something like interest. 'And what's the news in Glen Effick, Joseph?' 'No muckle, mem. Tarn Jamieson's coo's gotten a cauf. I'm thinkin' that's about a'.' 'And your master the minister? No news about him?' 'Weel mem, he's lyin' sin' yester mornin', whan he cam hame frae Gortonside. But I'm thinkin' ye ken better about that nor me. Folk says ye an' him got a terrible dookin' e'y burn, up by on Findochart. An' gin it hadna been for him ye'd ne'er hae gotten out ava, mem. An' noo it's a' ower, the folk says he's like to dee o't.' 'Indeed, we had a most trying time, Joseph, and have much cause for thankfulness, in having escaped as we did, and I hope Mr. Brown's illness will not prove serious. But, tell me, are there no reports or rumours about him circulating in the village?' 'I kenna what ye're drivin' at, mem, I'm sure.' 'There is, then, nothing stirring down the Glen at all?' 'I ken o' naething, mem.' 'Widow Tirpie's girl has come home again I hear, and looks poorly.' Joseph started slightly, and glanced suspiciously under his eyelids, but he answered impassively enough. 'I heard sae, mem, but I haena seen her mysel.' 'And is nobody's name associated in the village with that?' Joseph, in his discomposure, missed his hammer stroke, and gave himself a severe rap on the thumb, which with a gulp he transferred to his mouth. 'I'm no sure 'at I guess what ye're drivin' at, mem.' 'And about her child?' continued Mrs. Sangster, still intent on learning something. 'I ne'er heard tell that she had ane,' said Joseph, waxing more and more uneasy. 'Do the people ever remark a likeness between her and the baby Miss Brown has adopted, for instance?' Joseph turned round and looked Mrs. Sangster in the face; he felt relieved he was safe, but he was also astonished. 'I hae na heard ony body speakin' that gate; an' gin I micht mak sae free, mem, do you see ony yersel?'